The Appledore Maritime Players was founded in 1999 by Appledore born and bred Tom Waters - helped by his wife Liz and their talented friend Jenny Arnold - and continues to go from strength to strength.

Producing a play every year is obviously a big committment so the group is always looking for fresh blood! If you are interested in amateur dramatics, or can help with scenery, costumes or staging, please get in touch with Tom on 01237 474838.

The Appledore Maritime Players are very pleased to be able to raise money for Local Charities, one of which is the Children's Holiday Foundation North Devon (Registered Charity #1045928) which provides holidays of a lifetime for children with life threatening disabilities or illnesses. Dr. Robin Buckland writes more - click on the Dr Buckland or Children's Holiday Foundation links for more information.

Tom Waters wrote this in January 2006:

It was the autumn of 1999 when I decided to enter the world of Amateur Dramatics. All I had to do was have a subject ... That subject was a book called "The Nightingale Scandal" centred on Lundy Island. Could I adapt the book to a play - and write it?? The only experience I had was writing humourous soccer stories for a magazine and local football clubs. I had ventured into Maritime Material to produce articles so that had helped. My School reports for English always said, "Could do better. Good sense of humour!" So, armed with an A3 pad and a wife who hovered and critisized my punctuation, I began the task. The story was exiting and proved a success. There hadn't been a drama group in Appledore since 1920 - and that performed religious plays. We wanted humour.

I was joined by my wife Liz and Jenny Arnold, whose vast experience in the theatre as a singer was invaluable. To actually get the Players was quite another matter... But we did! Clive Jones, Nigel Holbrook, young Andrew Wright and then a major breakthrough - Ian Lamb joined us and brought with him his fantastic stage management and acting talents. I was joined by my wife Liz and Jenny Arnold, whose vast experience in the theatre as a singer was invaluable. To actually get the Players was quite another matter... But we did! Clive Jones, Nigel Holbrook, young Andrew Wright and then Ian Lamb joined us and brought with him his fantastic stage management and acting talents.

Now six years later we have a good team and with some really good talent. I'm always proud of them - we're like a family. So far I've writted six plays and I thank all those who have raised funds for the Appledore Maritime Museum and for Dr Robin Buckland, who every year takes children with life theratening diseases on holiday to America. So far we have raised £3000. It would be wrong of me not to mention the inventions of Terry Bailey whose expert building of sets have been an inspiration; Richard Bains with his sound effects and earlier Norman Westlake have made up the team providing the music. My favourite play is last season's "Barracuda II & The Lindstrom Affair". Meanwhile, we rehearse for 2006's "Lights Over Lundy".